We (Clarke Pulling Team) managed to get Top Gear magazine interested to come to Bettborn and write a good story about our team in September. Here is the link to the web-version, as I think it was something positive for the entire pulling scene.

Saturday, December 29, 2007

After visiting the Red Painter Team, I took my 7 year old nephew Vincent and we both drove to Balkbrug to see the "Diesel Power Beurs". Vincent and I both shot a lot of pictures of the tractors on exhibition there for you to see.

Been visiting the Red Painter Team this morning. The guys have put a nice paint job on the tractor and are working hard to get it ready for Zwolle.The engines have all been fitted with new internals and MSD 44s, and three additional spare blocks should be enough to get them through their first season!

I have started a new project for 2008, called "Pullingworld.com video production".

The goal is:Bring Tractor Pulling videos to the fans in a timely manner and overall (and as usual) free of charge!I will try what I can to produce free videos on my own. If anybody wants to add videos, too just send me a DVD / Video CD or upload to Google video on your own.This is a way for promoters to get the word out about their events (how about getting last years pull online?).Of course money has to be made to justify it, so I am offering advertising space in the videos I'll do.To get an idea how it will look like, I have already linked three videos that were done in the past:Click here!

BTW: Will go to the Diesel Power Beurs in Balkbruk tomorrow late afternoon.CU there!

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

For all of you who currently sit at home, bored during the holidays, there is some places to go to in the next few days.On the 29th of december there is the Diesel Power Beurs at Balkbrug/NL (Diamanthal) from 13.30h to 21.00h and on the 30th December the Basrijs guys have a little Indoor Pull at Etten-Leur/NL, starting from 13.00h to 19.30h.I might pay a little visit to the Diesel Power Beurs with some of the hot farm guys from this area. Not even 100km and I ain't got nothing to do right now anyways... depends on my health though.Might give me the chance to give my new video cam a try.

Sunday, December 23, 2007

The fourth edition of Indoor Arnhem, Europe's biggest indoor tractor pulling event, will take place on saturday, april 12th 2008. This is a new date.

This new date is in the same period of the year as the successful 3d editon of 2007; the winter work is done and its just before the start of the outdoor season. We expect to provide the spectators with a stronger and more interesting field of pullers on this date. There will be no changes in the successful format:

* One compact evening session, packed with spectacular classes* Two almost full length tracks: one for the hooded tractors and one for the modifieds and TWD's* Three classes per track; a total of 6 classes* Ticket prices start at € 23,50. Children under 14 at € 10,00

Friday, December 21, 2007

I was released out of hospital this morning.It all just started with a kidney stone - which got stuck in between my kidney and my bladder and blocked the exit of my left kidney.At the first stay in hospital, they've put a hose from the kidney to the bladder, so the water could be released and it all could swell down to remove the stone later.Was sent home with that - but the hose got plugged and so the exit of my kidney was plugged again.Put me under anesthesia - removed the hose, crushed the stone, removed it all - and put a new hose back in, as it was now swollen even more.Three days later that hose was plugged, too - and we did it all over again. Had to put me under anesthesia again as the first time, with part anesthesia, the doctor told me: "You almost jumped off my table!"Now everything seems to be ok and I drove to my parents place this noon. I am still a little weak on my legs and sleep a lot - but at least home for Christmas!I hope to be back in action before New Years.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Hi!I am back home in so / so condition. I had actually planned to go see the indoor pull in Den Bosch on saturday, but I am not too sure I am in good enough condition to go there - yet.Anyhow, during my stay in the hospital the world kept spinning and there is some news to tell:The van der Waal Team is busy getting their act back together and present two alky burner tractors in Zwolle in good condition:The European Maid of Bram de Pijper and their own Terminator.Tractorpulling.tv has added another hot farm event to their list of broadcasts, Harskamp to be exact.Some real respect for John van Alphen and the Popeye team. Not only do they have the nerves to put the triple Allison Tractor back together, you can also follow the rebuild on their website (check news)

My step daughter, May, who most of you know or have met is entered in to a modelling competition for Miss Teen Princess UK 2008 (13 to 15 year olds), which is part of the Miss Teen Queen UK competition. She has qualified to the photo final which is a web based vote (by text or phone) to select the finalists for the 2008 competition to be held next year. Previous winners have gone on to model at such events as the Clothes Show Live and other prestigious venues so this is a real opportunity for her to forward her modelling career.

To qualify she has to finish in the top 5 as far as the on line voting and then has to be picked by a panel of judges from this shortlist to hopefully qualify for the grand final in London next June. The voting has just started and finishes on 1st January 2008 at 12pm.

Attached is a leaflet with the text vote line, send it as listed – Jennifer May Norris to 84205 with a capital as the first letter of each name and 1 space between them. From outside the UK you will need to phone your vote in.

By phone the number is 0044 (0) 901 656 1515 and May is contestant number 22.

The web site link is below should you want to see her photo on it – select Contestants from the main menu on the left hand side and she is number 22.

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

In time for Christmas, the Green Monster Team has opened it's ticket sale with a very special offer:Since the event on April 26th and 27th 2008 will be official 30th anniversary of the team, a special "Jubiläumsticket" is avaliable.For only 17 € you'll get entry for both days, free entry to the puller party and a free Pott's drink! This ticket is only avaliable through the pre sale.The Green Monster team will try to get all 2007 Euro Cup champs to the pull and will also raise the purse for the 4.5t modified class quite some, to get a good field of competitors.For the saturday a total of 1800 € was put up in price money for Stock and Super Sport competition, that is open to anybody who has a tractor built according to the (ETPC/NTTO/STPV/DTTO) rules.

Some pictures of the german tractor pullers exhibiting at the Essen Motorshow.Essen Motor Show is the Number-One Motor Sport Fair in Germany.From the racing car to the Formula 1 star - at the Essen Motor Show 2007, motor sport is once again a very high priority. As a meeting place for active motor sportsmen and sportswomen, former racing drivers, sponsors and fans, the fair is regarded as the most important date at the end of the season throughout the scene.In total, 110,000 visitors came to the Essen Motor Show on the starting weekend - although the duration has been shortened by one day. The fair will last up to and including next Sunday.

Monday, December 03, 2007

Joop Wouters and Markus Pape make the deal perfect shaking hands.The tractor is now home in a new shop in North West Germany.The fenders and rollcage had already been repainted before and thus the first pictures in the new color scheme could be taken, before the tractor was now disassambled down to the last bolt, to get renovated.The engines are currently undergoing a complete overhaul, too and will then be joined by one completely new Knox KB, giving the LP team three engines to run and one in spare for the 2008 season.